Blaine (West Norton Boys Series Book 2)

by Dawn Doyle

  “Uh, Charlie, I think we have a problem.”

  “What kind of a problem?” Charlie asked. “Robyn, do you know anything?”

  “No. I still have no idea what kind of trouble Blaine could be in.” My words seemed to rile Brady because his jaw ticked and he shifted in his seat. “Guys, enough of the stalling, just fucking spill it!”

  “I don’t know for certain, but what we thought was over, might not be.”

  “What the fuck do you mean?” I was past the point of being patient, even though I’d clearly shown them I wanted answers right now. “Brady, I swear to fucking God, if you don’t give me something…”

  He turned his face to me, his brows high and his mouth tight as he gnawed on the inside of his cheek. “He hasn’t needed us for a long time,” he said, his fingers squeezing the steering wheel. “Fuck, I should’ve seen it. His job, Robyn. Blacklocks Cars. He doesn’t need to scout when he has a fucking catalog at his fingertips.”

  “So what?”

  “Don’t you see?” he asked, his voice raised. “If Blaine’s taking cars from the list he has in work, then it’s not for a fucking joyride. A shit ton of high-end cars have been going missing, and not one of them have been found.” He rubbed his hands over his face. “Fuck, we had no idea because he always puts them back. We never suspected he would take them for good.”

  I froze, realization hitting me in the face like it had slapped the sense right back into me. “Nate did,” I said, the words barely making it past my lips.

  “What?” Charlie asked, his voice booming through the speakers.

  I nodded. “Nate knew, Charlie. Why the hell would he have told me to spill my secrets to Blaine before he did?” It was then I understood his reasons for forcing me to confess my past, my mistakes, and my stupid decision to allow Aaron to ride with me. I’d put Blaine at risk because I was monitored. What Derek said at the station made so much sense.

  Brady slammed his hand down on the steering wheel. “Fuck!”

  “I’m calling Nate. This shit needs to be locked down. I’ll meet you at the station.” Charlie ground out, then the line went dead.

  We pulled up outside Lake View Police Station, and I wasted no time in throwing the door open and rushing out of the car. I had to see Blaine, and I wasn’t going to leave until I could speak to him.

  I grabbed the metal handle and yanked back, opening the heavy door. Bright lights assaulted my eyes as I came in from the darkness of the early morning, and I screwed them up until they adjusted.

  “I want to see Blaine,” I demanded to the officer while slamming my hand down on the desk. He looked up at me, his dark brows shooting up. “I don’t have time to play games, Officer Kendrick, I need to see my boyfriend, now. He’s innocent. Neither of us had anything to do with stealing that shitty car.” Officer Kendrick rose slowly from his seat, his dark uniform straightening out as he did. I didn’t falter, though. He’d been there when I was brought in, and when Detective Marsden released me. “You know he is.”

  “Mr. Summers isn’t here,” he said, his brown eyes looking down at whatever he was moving on his desk under the counter. “He was released about twenty minutes ago.”

  “What?” I blanched, every ounce of color draining from my body, washed away with freezing water cascading down the center of my back. “What do you mean, he’s been released?”

  I grabbed my phone out of my gray jacket pocket and checked for missed calls or texts, but there was nothing.

  Why didn’t he tell me?

  I stabbed at the screen, my fingers working furiously.

  ‘Where are you? I’m at the station with Brady and Charlie, but they said you’d been released? Are you okay? What’s going on?’

  “Come on, Robyn,” Charlie said from the doorway. When I didn’t move, he walked over and took my arm, gently pulling me outside.

  “He’s been released,” I said in disbelief. “He didn’t tell me he was okay.”

  “Robyn, we have something, but we need to get you the fuck out of here. If Darcy gets wind of you being with us—”

  “Darcy?” Why was that name familiar?

  “Fuck, Brady didn’t get that far. Okay, jump in my car, I’ve got a lot more shit to cover before you know just how much danger you’re in.”

  Right then, my brain decided to take a vacation, because once Charlie began walking to me to his car, time stood still inside my head while the world flew by.

  I caught words here and there. Selling, junkyard, whispers of trades, Larry Sykes, and his daughter… They all jumbled together into one colossal recipe for fucked up pie, ready to be garnished with a little pinch of extreme violence.

  What the fuck had I gotten involved in?

  “If Blaine’s been doing what I think he’s been doing, then we need to make sure you’re outta the way, Robyn. They threatened Luca when Lucian wanted out of the pit, and if Blaine’s doing the same thing, we won’t take any chances.”

  We drove past the road where I lived. “Where are you taking me?” I asked, looking up at my apartment. My stomach heaved when I saw Blaine’s car out front. “Blaine’s here!”

  Charlie slammed on the brakes, turned around, then parked behind Blaine’s car.

  Before he had a chance to turn off the engine, I was out of the car, through the door and running up the stairs. My door was wide open, but there was no sign of Blaine in the living room. “Blaine! Blaine, where are you?” I yelled as I turned on the light, then gasped, my hands flying over my mouth.

  My apartment was a mess. My couch was turned over, the stuffing all over the place, spilling from the large slashes across the cushions. My coffee table was smashed to pieces, the wooden frame splintered across the floor and the glass top in spear-like shards. I turned around to see my drapes torn from the windows as though yanked down with a quick movement, tearing the fabric and leaving jagged wisps blowing in the slight breeze coming through the small opening in the window.

  “What the fuck?” Charlie said from behind me. “Robyn, we have to go.” He pulled on my arm, trying to turn me, but I pulled myself free.

  “Why?” I whispered, turning a full circle, pausing only to witness the massacre in my kitchen, cupboard doors hanging off and my small appliances destroyed. I rushed over to my bedroom and placed my hand on the door, fear gripping me as I slowly pushed it open.

  “Wait, Robyn,” Charlie whispered, stopping me. “We don’t know what’s in there. Stand back.” He placed his finger on his lips to silence me, then stood to the other side of the frame, his palm flat to the door, giving him enough space to push open and to keep himself concealed. When the door was halfway open, he peered around the edge. “I can’t see or hear anything.” He moved out of his space and took a step inside. “Fuck.”

  I burst through, not expecting to see the sight before me, the sudden blow causing me to drop to my knees. Huge red letters had been painted on my wall, thick drops sliding down where they were still wet. ‘Tag, you’re it.’

  “Who would do this?” I sobbed, gripping the tattered remains of my bed covers. “Who the fuck are these people?”

  Charlie dragged his hands through his hair, then kept his hand on his head. “People you never want to meet,” he said. “I never thought I’d say this, Robyn, but you’re lucky you were arrested.” He looked down at me, then crouched, gently pulling my hands away from my mouth as tears continued to flow down my cheeks, the wetness increasing on my leggings where they fell. “Robyn, I’m sorry this happened, but we need to get the fuck out of here and find Blaine. His car is outside, but he’s not here.”

  My head whipped up, my eyes snapping to Charlie’s. Pain washed over his features, but as his brows drew down, I recognized signs of building fury and the need to unleash it.

  “They hurt him,” I choked. “Charlie, if they hurt him, I swear—”

  “We’ll find him,” he promised, then pulled me to my feet. “If anything has happened to Blaine, then they’ve just made the worst mistake of t
heir fucking lives.”

  Chapter 14

  Blaine

  Darkness surrounded me in the cover of the early morning shadows. The birds had begun to sing as the first rays of light warmed the blackened sky, and I had to move my ass if I wanted to get these wheels off the road.

  “Just a few more minutes.” I tapped my gloved fingers against the steering wheel, the restless movements doing nothing but agitating me even more. I’d wanted to call Robyn, or just text her, anything to let her know I was out and I was fine. Instead of doing that, I’d gone to her place to see her, to make sure she was safe and that the arresting cops hadn’t hurt her. I wanted to tell her everything, to lock the door and stand in her way until I’d explained the whole fucking reason we’d been set up and what I was going to do to make it right.

  I hadn’t been prepared for the shit I saw in her apartment. The door was wide open, but the apartment was in darkness. As I stepped inside, I turned on the light, my gut lurching toward my throat as I saw her furniture destroyed as though wild bears had been released in there and they’d sharpened their claws on everything they could get their paws on. Her bedroom was something else entirely.

  I couldn’t breathe when I saw the place I’d held her in my arms, watched her sleep, and loved her over and over, was in a tattered mess. That’s when I saw the message.

  ‘Tag, you’re it.’

  I had no idea what the blood-red painted words meant, and I didn’t care. All I could think about was Robyn being taken away by Eddie’s dogs, the possibilities of what they would do to her if I didn’t meet whatever demands they would surely send to me.

  I’d collapsed against the wall, barely able to hold myself up. My phone had chimed with the tone I’d set for her, and I scrambled to get it out of my pocket, my insides violently rolling around as I saw her name on the screen.

  She’d asked me where I was, that she was at the station… I’d been devastated to find her gone, but instead, she was safe with the guys, and that tiny moment of relief had turned to heart-pounding anxiety, wondering if they’d told her about us—about me. There was no doubt in my mind that shit had already gone down before I was released; it was just like that of the guys to go apeshit when it came to me and whatever the fuck I was up to. It just so happened that this time, they had every right to blow up. Now I wondered if I had a girl to go back to, and that she was just waiting to take off on me for potentially causing her incarceration, before walking out of my life.

  It was then I’d gotten a call from John, giving me the green light, and I had to get my shit together to end this thing once and for all. I left my car outside Robyn’s place, and took off on foot, waiting until I was at least a mile away from her block before I hailed a passing cab. My mission was a go, and I had to execute it, Blaine style.

  I looked at my phone one more time, my fingers itching to send her a message to tell her… Fuck, I didn’t know. Telling her I loved her right now wasn’t going to cut it, but I was going to try to get her back, even if I had to fucking grovel in public, and I would.

  “Robyn, I’m so fucking sorry,” I whispered into the empty space around me. “Please don’t hate me when this is over.”

  I tapped my screen when another message came through from Brady, then Lucian, asking me where the fuck I was. I guess the memo not to contact me hadn’t stuck, and right then, I was grateful they’d ignored me.

  I opened my messages and typed out a text.

  ‘Keys were planted on me. Don’t ask how, just know that something’s not right. We were set up. Find out who, but don’t do anything. I want that pleasure.’

  I clicked send, then turned off my phone. I couldn’t have any distractions while I was working, and this job was the biggest of them all.

  “Let’s light this shit up, Johnny boy,” I said, starting the engine and pulling out of the dead-quiet road.

  “Be careful, Blaine,” John replied through my concealed earpiece. “If this goes as you told me it would, you need only say the word, and we’ll go in.”

  “Come on, Detective,” I snipped, playfully. “It wouldn’t be nearly as much fun if I let you guys steal the show.”

  “I just hope you know what you’re doing, son.”

  “Hey, don’t be getting emotional on me. Just watch the master at work.” I drove slowly around the corner, heading on to the main road toward the highway. “Actually, don’t. I wouldn’t want you to get ideas.”

  John’s laugh buzzed in my ear. “Don’t worry, son. I’ve got my eyes closed but my ears open. Whatever you do, nobody saw.”

  “That’s how I like it.” I put my foot down as I got onto the open road, no traffic to slow me down, and no cops to tail me. I switched gears, going from second, to third, to fourth, getting as much speed as I could, my pulse increasing the faster I went. I topped at one hundred on the highway, slipping into sixth to coast to my destination.

  The engine roared, the sounds of the turbo whizzing like a symphony, the scenes zipping by making a steady beat as I passed. It was the soundtrack to my life.

  I slowed as I approached the ramp, still taking the turn at high speed, the back end of the car skidding out as I pushed her through the bend.

  “Take it, baby,” I whispered. “I know how you like it.”

  “You are a strange one, I swear,” John said.

  “Hush, dude, you’re making me lose my mojo,” I complained. “This lady wants all of my attention, so keep the hell out of our conversation.”

  “Whatever you say,” he snorted.

  “That’s right, sweet thing,” I purred, slamming my foot down and shoving her into fourth as I took the straight road. “Let it all out.” The sounds coming from the engine spurred me on, motivating me not to lose focus. “It’s time to go home, baby.”

  The tires screeched as I slammed on the brakes, skidding through the gates at the junkyard. I came to a stop, then got out, slinging Cecil over my shoulder when I closed the door behind me.

  “One busty lady, ready to go,” I said to Preston who was staring at me as though I hadn’t even arrived. “Did you hear me?”

  “Your job isn’t over,” Eddie’s voice came from behind me, and I spun around to face him. “I’ve got something else I need you to do.”

  I held up my gloved hands and shook my head. “This was the deal, Eddie. I got you your last car, so we’re done here.”

  He laughed and shook his head. “It’s cute that you think you can just leave us. You’ve made us a shit load of cash, sunshine, and we don’t like it when that flow is shut off. You’re gonna keep working for us, whether you like it or not.”

  I tilted my head to the side, wondering what the fuck he was up to. I hadn’t planned for this little twist, so I had to think on my feet. “Look, I know I’m fucking amazing at what I do, it’s the reason Larry set up this deal, but I’ve overpaid my dues for trying to take his ride years ago.” I gestured to the sleek silver sports car I’d recently acquired, the fifteenth last one I’d brought in. “Those were the terms of the deal, and I’ve delivered many times over.” There was no way he would settle for that; I’d already given him thirty more cars than originally agreed. But, like the stupid teen I was back then, I had something to prove, and they’d been more than impressed with my skills. Larry had been pleased and kept me on. It was great while Lucian was busy fighting, I was getting my own action, but I’d thought I’d gotten out when he had.

  “Hello,” I said, answering my phone. I’d just gotten back from the hospital where Lucian had been taken. His ribs were broken, and he had a ton of bruises, but he was going to be okay, thank fuck. “Who is it?”

  I rubbed my forehead as flashes of the fight ran through my mind, of Titan slamming his fists into Lucian, Luca screaming in agony as she watched him take the hits. Our relief when he got up and fought back, snapping Titan’s arms and rendering him unable to do any damage to anyone else. Once in the dark room where Lucian would change, we’d realized how Murphy had been defeated so easi
ly, in the form of drugged water.

  Darcy had strolled in, throwing a roll of cash, then getting beat down by a wild Luca. She deserved everything she got and more.

  “Blaine,” the voice said down the phone, and it was one I recognized. “Don’t think that tonight is your redemption, sunshine.” My stomach rolled, my heart racing as Eddie hissed down the phone. “Get to the junkyard in an hour, or your own deal will find it’s way into the investigation. I bet Mommy dearest would hate for her baby boy to go inside with the mean men.”

  The line went dead, and I stared at my phone. “Fuck!” I had to go, even it was just to see what the fuck was going on.

  “The deal still stands,” Eddie said as I stood in the office, Preston at my back, and three other men standing in the doorway. “Larry called me and insisted you see this through. Don’t make me have to take matters into my own hands, Blaine, because if I have to bring you to your fucking knees to ensure your cooperation, then I won’t waste a fucking breath to do so.”

  “Big words for such a little guy,” I said, staring at the wiry fucker that stood a head shorter than me, his brown hair sticking up as though trying to add a little height.

  Pain seared through the back of my head as a blunt object was smacked across my skull, causing me to fall to my knees and my eyes to unfocus for a moment.

  “Watch that smart mouth of yours,” Preston said, next to my ear. “When we say jump, you say how high, understand? If you try to cross us at any time, we’ll make sure to hurt you in ways you’ve never even thought of.”

  “Wow, your breath is hurting me enough right now,” I snipped. “Is that one of your torture tactics? Cos, God damn.” I grunted when I was struck again, the pain radiating from my side when a huge yeti-sized foot kicked me. My voice was tight as I said,“That’s gonna leave a mark.”

  “Try me, kid, and you’ll live to regret it. The deal still stands. Forty was Larry’s number, but with your track record, I have a feeling we could push for a little extra.”